South Africa’s stem cell laws remain tight, but momentum is building, says top SA doctor

The laws governing stem cells and regenerative medicine are still very stringent in South Africa. However, according to Dr. Reza Mia, the nation's first physician to be certified by the American Board of Regenerative Medicine (ABRM), recent advancements point to cautious progress.

“Stem cell therapy and research are still effectively banned in South Africa,” Dr Mia said. “That hasn’t changed in law. What has changed is that there are now very narrow, clearly defined pathways that allow research and treatment without breaking the law.”

He explained that the original ban stemmed from ethical concerns around foetal stem cells harvested from fertilised embryos. “At the time, stem cells could only be obtained by destroying a developing baby,” he said. “That was the core ethical issue, and rightly so.”

Dr Mia said there are signs that government attitudes are evolving. He pointed to the Department of Science and Technology’s recent decision to award Pegasus Universal Aerospace a second tax incentive — a 150 percent tax rebate on stem cell research and development.

“That’s a significant step in the right direction,” he said. “It shows the government is willing to support ethical, legally compliant research in a field with enormous potential.”

One of the biggest challenges in regenerative medicine, Dr Mia said, is sourcing safe and effective stem cells. “Autologous stem cells taken from a person’s own fat are legal,” he said, “but those cells are always as old as the patient. They don’t have the same regenerative power we see in younger cell sources.”

Umbilical cord stem cells offer a more potent alternative. “These are young, powerful stem cells that are often simply thrown away after birth,” he said. “In South Africa, they must be obtained from a registered stem cell bank, which dramatically reduces risk.”

Registered banks, he added, subject donors and cells to extensive screening. “The testing is rigorous,” Dr Mia said. “It’s designed to ensure that no infectious diseases are transmitted to recipients.” He noted that stem cells are largely immune-agnostic. “Unlike blood transfusions, cross-matching is usually not required.”

The law also strictly regulates who is authorised to perform stem cell procedures. “No doctor can legally do this work without specialised training recognised by the HPCSA,” Dr Mia said. He recently became the first South African doctor to qualify with the ABRM after completing its board examinations. The ABRM training programme received Continuing Professional Development accreditation in late 2025.

Global research advances are making regenerative medicine increasingly difficult to ignore, Dr Mia said. “We’re seeing real remission in Type 1 diabetes, promising results in Parkinson’s disease, heart tissue repair after heart attacks, and cartilage regeneration that could change orthopaedic care.”

Neurological research is also advancing rapidly. “Stem-cell-derived brain organoids are allowing us to model Alzheimer’s disease in ways we never could before,” he said. “That speeds up drug development dramatically.”

Regenerative medicine is also expanding into aesthetic practice. “PRF facials and body fillers use a patient’s own cells,” Dr Mia said. “People are looking for subtle, natural results without foreign substances or surgery.”

“Stem cell medicine isn’t a miracle,” he said. “But the science is advancing fast, and with proper regulation and training, South Africa can participate responsibly.”